President Dr. Julius Maada Bio addressed the nation on Sunday, 9 August 2026, urging Members of Parliament to pass the pending Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025. President Bio emphasized the importance of completing changes to the electoral framework before the next general elections. He stated that "This was a truly national process — not a partisan exercise," noting the collaborative effort behind the proposed amendments. The Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is currently before Parliament for consideration and approval.
Bio appealed directly to lawmakers, saying, "Let Honourable Members vote ‘Yes’—not for a party, not for an individual, but for the people and the future of democracy in Sierra Leone." He further urged, "Vote ‘Yes’ for inclusion. Vote ‘Yes’ for women. Vote ‘Yes’ for the youth. Vote ‘Yes’ for credible elections. Vote ‘Yes’ for a stronger democracy. Vote ‘Yes’ for the future of our beloved nation." President Bio reminded them that "The decision before you will not end with the vote. It will be remembered by generations yet unborn." He concluded by asserting that "A Constitution is not designed for one political party. It is not the property of one government, one institution, or one group." The President's impassioned plea showed the historical significance of the vote and its potential impact on the nation's democratic trajectory.
A Long Road to Reform
President Bio traced the origins of the constitutional reform process to Sierra Leone’s transition from civil war to peace and democratic governance. He recalled initiating negotiations with the Revolutionary United Front in 1996, taking steps towards restoring multiparty democracy and returning governance to civilian authority in the same year. This foundational period laid the groundwork for the country's return to a civilian-led government and multiparty political system after a period of conflict. The 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement subsequently called for a review of the 1991 Constitution, recognizing the need for a revised legal framework to solidify peace and democratic principles. A conclusion later reinforced by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which also noted the necessity of constitutional amendments to address the root causes of conflict and promote national cohesion.
Successive governments, civil society organisations, commissions, and citizens have advocated for constitutional reform for more than two decades. The late President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah established the Dr Peter Tucker Constitutional Review Committee to address these calls, initiating a structured approach to examining the existing constitutional provisions. Later, former President Ernest Bai Koroma established the Justice Edmond Cowan Constitutional Review Committee, further advancing the reform efforts and building upon previous work. These committees represented sustained national commitment to reviewing and updating the nation's supreme law.
President Bio's administration assumed office in 2018, continuing the long-standing national commitment to constitutional changes. President Bio emphasized the collaborative nature of the process, stating, "This was a truly national process — not a partisan exercise." He urged lawmakers to consider the broader implications of their vote, stressing that the proposed amendments are a culmination of widespread national input rather than a narrow political agenda. "The decision before you will not end with the vote. It will be remembered by generations yet unborn," President Bio said, adding that "A Constitution is not designed for one political party. It is not the property of one government, one institution, or one group." This statement reinforced the idea that the Constitution serves all citizens, transcending individual political affiliations or governmental terms.
President Bio appealed directly to Members of Parliament: "Let Honourable Members vote ‘Yes’—not for a party, not for an individual, but for the people and the future of democracy in Sierra Leone." He further implored, "Vote ‘Yes’ for inclusion. Vote ‘Yes’ for women. Vote ‘Yes’ for the youth. Vote ‘Yes’ for credible elections. Vote ‘Yes’ for a stronger democracy. Vote ‘Yes’ for the future of our beloved nation." His call noted specific areas where the reforms are expected to bring positive change, such as greater representation and more strong electoral processes. He concluded his address by stating, "Do not vote for me. Do not vote for this Government. Do not vote for any political party. Vote for Sierra Leone." This powerful closing statement aimed to depoliticize the vote, framing it as a patriotic duty for the betterment of the entire nation.
Extensive Consultation Process
The Justice Edmond Cowan Constitutional Review Committee, established by former President Ernest Bai Koroma, consisted of 80 members, representing a broad spectrum of expertise and societal interests. This committee undertook an extensive consultation process across Sierra Leone between 2013 and 2017. During this period, the Cowan Committee conducted more than 10,000 public consultations throughout the country, ensuring that citizens from all regions had an opportunity to contribute their views. The sheer volume of these consultations shows the committee's commitment to a grassroots approach to constitutional reform.
The committee's engagement efforts were broad, involving 133 distinct stakeholder groups to gather diverse perspectives on constitutional reform. These groups included civil society organizations, traditional leaders, professional bodies, youth groups, and women's associations, ensuring a full understanding of national concerns. To further solicit public input, the Cowan Committee distributed over 70,000 consultation forms across various regions, providing a structured mechanism for individual citizens to submit their suggestions and opinions. The committee also received 150 position papers from various individuals and organizations, contributing to the full review by offering detailed analyses and recommendations on specific constitutional provisions.
Public outreach was a significant component of the committee's work, which included broadcasting more than 20,000 hours of airtime through radio and television to inform and engage citizens. This extensive public engagement aimed to ensure a wide range of views were considered in the proposed constitutional amendments, fostering transparency and public ownership of the reform process. The Justice Edmond Cowan Constitutional Review Committee ultimately submitted its final report to former President Ernest Bai Koroma in 2017, marking a key milestone in the reform process and providing a detailed blueprint for the current legislative efforts.
President's Call to Action
The proposed constitutional reforms include the introduction of proportional representation, a significant change to the electoral system designed to ensure fairer representation of votes cast. This system aims to allocate parliamentary seats in proportion to the votes received by political parties, potentially leading to a more diverse political landscape. Additionally, the reforms incorporate a minimum 30 percent quota for women in political nominations, aiming to enhance female representation in governance and address historical gender imbalances in political leadership. This quota is a critical step towards achieving greater gender equality in decision-making bodies.
These proposed constitutional and electoral changes, if enacted before elections, align with democratic principles recognized by prominent international and regional bodies. Such actions are consistent with guidelines set forth by the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the United Nations regarding electoral integrity and constitutional development. These international organizations consistently advocate for inclusive electoral systems and measures to increase women's participation in politics, viewing them as essential for strong democracies. The Calabash Newspaper, established in 2017, has been covering these developments and the broader discourse surrounding the proposed amendments, providing ongoing public information and analysis on the reform process. The completion of these electoral framework changes ahead of the next general elections is seen as key for upholding the integrity and credibility of future polls in Sierra Leone.